WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 31: Trinity Rodman #2 of the Washington Spirit celebrates her goal during a game between Houston Dash and Washington Spirit at Audi Field on October 31, 2021 in Washington, DC.
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CHICAGO (November 18, 2021) – The National Women’s Soccer League announced today that Washington Spirit Forward Trinity Rodman has been tabbed the 2021 NWSL Rookie of the Year, presented by Ally.
After becoming the youngest player to be drafted in the NWSL, going to the Spirit with the second overall pick in the 2021 NWSL Draft, Rodman went on to enjoy a standout first campaign with the league which notably included six goals, six assists and two game-winners. The Newport Beach, California native also created 35 scoring opportunities and finished with 29 shots on target.
Rodman secured her place in the league record book early, becoming the youngest American player to score a goal in an NWSL debut when she got on the scoresheet in a 3-2 loss to the North Carolina Courage during the 2021 Challenge Cup on April 10.
After a successful Challenge Cup that also included an assist on the game-winning goal in the Spirit’s 1-0 win over Louisville, Rodman made an instant impact on the squad, earning a starting spot in her regular-season debut on May 16. The striker finished out the month with a game-tying assist in Washington’s eventual 2-1 win over the Houston Dash on May 26.
Rodman enjoyed a productive offensive month throughout June, scoring in Washington’s June 19 contest against the Chicago Red Stars before notching both an assist and the game-winning goal in the squad’s 2-1 win over the Kansas City Current the following week.
After closing out the first half of the regular season with a goal against NJ/NY Gotham FC on July 18, Rodman turned on the jets for the second portion, scoring three goals and adding a trio of assists in the final three months of play. The forward began the stretch August 1 with a goal against Chicago before setting up the game-winning score for the Spirit in a 2-1 victory against the Orlando Pride on August 22.
Rodman put on another show in October, scoring two goals and notching a pair of assists on October 9 to help secure a 3-0 Washington win over Louisville. Rodman’s goal against the Dash on Halloween the game-winner in a victory that secured the No. 3 seed in the 2021 NWSL Playoffs for the Spirit.
In addition to the award, Rodman will also receive a cash bonus from Ally to celebrate her accomplishments from her first season in the NWSL.
Racing Louisville FC defender Emily Fox and Kansas City Current midfielder Victoria Pickett finished second and third in rookie voting this year. The list of finalists was decided after a preliminary round of voting by owners, general managers, coaches, players and media. The finalists were then voted on by fans, owners, general managers, coaches, players and media.
Voting Breakdown
Preliminary Round: Players (50%), Owners/GMs/Coaches (25%) and Media (25%)
Final Round: Players (50%), Owners/GMs/Coaches (20%), Media (20%) and Fans (10%)
Full list of NWSL Rookies of the Year
2013: Erika Tymrak, FC Kansas City
2014: Julie Ertz (Johnston), Chicago Red Stars
2015: Danielle Colaprico, Chicago Red Stars
2016: Raquel Rodriguez, NJ/NY Gotham FC
2017: Ashley Hatch, North Carolina Courage
2018: Imani Dorsey, NJ/NY Gotham FC
2019: Bethany Balcer, OL Reign
2021: Trinity Rodman, Washington Spirit
